Anti-cheating device for coin changing machines



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United States Patent 3,285,382 ANTI-CHEATING DEVICE FOR COIN CHANGING MACHINES Grover C. Williams III, 238 Columbia Turnpike, Reusselaer, N.Y.

Filed May 4, 1965, Ser. No. 452,971 8 Claims. (Cl. 19410) This invention relates to coin operated machines and more particularly to coin changing devices or coin operated machines having coin changing facilities which are susceptible to theft of coins stored therein by unauthorized operation of such machines.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide facilities in association with coin changing devices which will prevent theft of coins from the coin changing device.

An additional object of the present invention in accordance with the foregoing object, is to provide an anticheating device for coin changing machines which will prevent repeated activation of coin switches by the same coin in order to avoid unauthorized dispensing of change from the machine.

A still further object in accordance with the foregoing objects, is to provide an anti-cheating device for coin changing machines which is operative to sever any string, cord or filament that may be attached to a coin deposited into the coin operated machine through which the same coin may be withdrawn for repeated activation of the coin switches.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide in combination with a coin changing machine, a solenoid operated cutter operatively positioned with respect to the coin receiving chute so that a coin deposited into the chute will pass between the cutting edges of the cutter before it activates a coin switch through which change dispensing operation of the machine is initiated.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a coin changing machine with parts broken away showing the thread cutting mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view similar to that of FIG- URE 1 but showing the cutter mechanism in another operative condition;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the coin changing machine shown in FIGURE 1 with parts broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 4 is a partial elevational view of the coin changing machine with parts broken away and shown in section so as to illustrate the cutter mechanism;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by the section line 5-5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an electrical circuit diagram corresponding to a typical coin changing machine modified in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the cutter mechanism associated with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGURE 3 illustrates a typical coin changing machine generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. It will be appreciated that the coin changing machine may be associated with any form of coin operated apparatus of vending machine and is adapted to accept coins of certain denominations for which change is to be dispensed. Coin changing machines of this type are well known and in wide commercial use and include for example, a stationary coin chute 12 as shown in FIGURE 3 into which a coin 14 is deposited for passage downwardly through the machine so as to ultimately actuate an activating coin switch after passing through the coin passage 16. Actuation of such activating switches is operative to dispense change to the customer. The change coins are stored within pay-out tubes within the coin changing machine as is well known. Coin changing machines of this type are, however, susceptible to unauthorized operation by repeated actuation of such coin activating switches by the same coin 18, for example, as shown in FIGURE 3 having a thread, string or filament 20 attached thereto by means of which the coin 18 may be upwardly withdrawn through the passage 16 after it has initiated pay-out operation by actuating a coin switch. In this manner, coin changing devices have been milked or depleted of their supply of change utilizing the same coin. In order to prevent the foregoing unauthorized operation of the coin changing device 10, a cutter mechanism generally referred to by reference numeral 20, is operatively positioned above the inlet end of the coin chute 12 so that coins deposited into the coinreceiving inlet 24 will pass through the cutter mechanism 22 as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The cutter mechanism is adapted to be mounted, therefore, on the top mounting plate 26 secured to the housing 28 enclosing the coin changing device 10.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 7 in particular, it will be observed that the cutter mechanism 22 includes a stationary cutter blade 30 adapted to be fixedly mounted on the plate 26 by any suitable means such as the mounting clamp bracket 32 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 5. Accordingly, the cutting edge 34 associated with the stationary blade will be positioned at one longitudinal end of the coin slot or entrance to the coin chute 12 which is aligned with the coin slot 36 formed in the coin guide closure member generally referred to by reference numeral 38. The coin guide slot 36 is formed in the coin guide member between the upstanding flanges 40 and 42 secured to the guide plate portion 44 disposed below the inlet 24. The coin guide member 38 is fixedly mounted by fasteners 46 to a movable blade member 48 of the cutter mechanism.

The movable blade member 48 is pivotally connected to the stationary blade member 30 by means of the pivotal connection 50 so that pivotal displacement of the movable blade member from the open position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 7 to the closed position illustrated in FIGURE 2, will bring its cutting edge 52 across the cutting edge 34 of the stationary blade 30 in order to sever any thread, string or filament 20 which may extend into the coin chute 12. The movable blade member 48 is, however, continuously biased to its open position together with the coin guide member 38 to which it is secured by means of a spring member 54. One end of the spring member is therefore anchored by the anchor element 56 to the plate member 26 while the other end is anchored by the connecting element 58 to the guide member 38. A pivotal connection 60 is mounted on the end of the movable blade member on that side of the pivotal mounting 50 opposite the cutting edge 52 so that the movable blade member may be displaced against the bias of the spring member 54 by a solenoid plunger 62 connected by the connecting rod 64 to the pivotal connection 60. The solenoid plunger therefore is reciprocably mounted within a solenoid coil device 66 fixedly mounted in operative position on the plate member 26. It will therefore be apparent that energization of the solenoid coil device 66 after a coin has passed through the coin guide slot 36 into the coin chute 12, will be operative to sever any thread 20 which may be attached to such coin. The solenoid device 66 is therefore energized after any coin deposited into the coin chute 12 has actuated acoin switch which initiates the pay-out operation of the coin changing device.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, one typical electrical control circuit is illustrated which has been modified in accordance with the present invention in order to timely and properly efiect energization of the cutter operating solenoid coil device 66.

It will be observed that source of electrical energy is supplied through the power lines 68 and 70 to the cabinet section 72 of the control circuit usually associated with the coin changing device in order to prevent unauthorized tampering with the cabinet of the machine. The power lines are thereby connected to the pay-out section 74 within which a plurality of pay-out operating solenoids 76, 78, 80 and 82 are mounted. Accordingly, current from power line 68 is supplied to each of the payout solenoids and to plurality of payout tube switches 84, 86 and 88 which are disposed in their illustrated positions when there are coins stored in each of the pay-out tubes. Therefore, as long as there are coins stored in each of the pay-out tubes energizing circuits will be maintained for the coin blocking solenoids 90, 92 and 94. Each of the coin blocking solenoids is therefore connected to the power line 70 so that an energizing circuit will be completed therethrough when each of the tube switches 84, 86 and 88 is in the illustrated position including the tube switch 96 connected in series with the switch 84 to the coin blocking solenoid 90. Should the supply of coins within the pay-out tubes become exhausted then one of the switches will be displaced toward its other operative position establishing an energizing circuit through one or more of the indicator lamps 98, 100 and 102 to respectively indicate for example depletion of dimes, quarters and 50 pieces from the respective pay-out tubes. Pay-out operation is, however, afiected by energization of one of the pay-out solenoids 76, 78, 80 and 82, respectively associated with coin switches 104, 106, 108 and 110 within the coin switch section 122.

Whenever one of the coin switches 108 and 110 is actuated by a coin possing through the coin passage within the coin changing device as hereinbe-fore indicated, an energizing circuit is completed either through the pay-out solenoid 80 or 82. At the same time, a parallel energizing circuit is established through one of the relay coils 114 and 116. The relay coils are therefore connected to the coin switches 108 and 110 in parallel with the pay-out solenoids 80 and 82 by the conductors 118 and 120, current being supplied to the relay coils from the power line 68. Associated with the respective relay coils 114 and 116, are normally opened relay switches 122 and 124. The relay switches are connected by the conductor 126 to one terminal of the cutter operating solenoid 66, the other terminal of Which is connected to the power line 68 so that upon closing of the relay switches, an energizing circuit is completed through either conductor 118 or conductor 120 and closed coin switch 108 or 110 to the return power line 70. It will therefore be apparent that deposit of a quarter or 50 piece, for example will not only cause energization of the pay-out solenoid 80 or 82 but will also energize the relay coil 11-4 or 116 in order to operate the cutter mechanism through the solenoid 66. The relays will prevent feedback to the pay-out solenoids when energizing the cutter operating solenoid 66. Also connected across the cutter operating solenoid 66, is an indicator lamp 128 which will be advantageous to any person servicing the coin changer since it will be illuminated each time a coin is deposited to thereb indicate that all electrical components are oproperly.

foregoing description, the construction, opand utility of the present invention will be apn-gly, it will be appreciated that the contribution of the present invention may be applied to all types of coin operated vending machines having coin changing devices. It will also be apparent that since the cutter mechanism of the present invention is positioned a substantial distance above the location of the coin activating switches associated with the coin changing device, it will permit passage of any coin through the machine with the cutter in its open position. Once a coin has initiated pay-out operation, the cutter mechanism is actuated toward its closed position barring the passage of any additional coins until the cutter is restored to its open position and thereby also severing any thread that may be attached to the deposited coin in order to prevent withdrawal of the coin into the coin passage. Repeated pay-out operation in response to actuation of the coin activating switches by the same coin is thereby prevented. Also, any coin that happens to be deposited while the cutter mechanism is in its closed position will be temporarily blocked until the cutter mechanism is restored to its open position. The anti-cheating facilities of the present invention will therefore be not only reliable in operation but will not disturb normal and authorized operation of the coin changing device.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a coin operated machine having a coin changing device rendered operative upon closing of an activating switch by coins deposited into, a stationary coin passage, means for preventing withdrawal of said coins by filaments attached thereto after a coin has actuated said activating switch comprising cutter means operatively mounted in operative relation to said coin passage through which said coins pass, and cutter operating means operatively connected to said cutter means for severing any of said filament-s in response to closing of said activating switch.

2. The combination o-f claim 1 wherein said cutter operating means comprises re'lay means connected to said activating switch for energization in response to closing thereof, and solenoid means connected to the cutter means and the relay means for operating the cutter means in response to energization of the relay means.

3. In a coin operated machine having a coin changing device rendered operative upon closing of activating switches by coins of certain denominations deposited into a coin passage, means for preventing withdrawal of said coins by filaments attached thereto after a coin has actuated one of said activating switches comprising cutter means operatively mounted above said coin passa-ge through which said coins pass, and cutter operating means operatively connected to said coin changing device and rendered operative simultaneously therewith by the activating switches for actuating the cutter means,

to sever any of said filaments, said cutter operating means comprising relay means connected to said activating switches for energization in response to closing of one of said switches, and solenoid means connected to the cutter means and the relay means for operating the cutter means in response to energization of the relay means, said cutter means comprising a stationary cutter blade fixedly mounted in operative relation to the coin passage, a movable cutter blade operatively mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position, a coin guide mounted on the movable blade through which coins may pass into the coin passage when the movable blade is in said'open position, means continuously biasing said movable blade to the open position and means connecting the movable blade to the solenoid means for displacement thereto to the closed position wherein the coin guide blocks passage of coins into the coin passage.

4-. In a coin operated machine having a coin changing device rendered operative upon closing of activating switches by coins of certain denominations deposited into a coin passage, means for preventing withdrawal of said coins by filaments attached thereto after a coin has actuated one of said activating switches comprising cutter means operatively mounted above said coin passage through which said coins pass, and cutter operating means operatively connected to said coin changing device and rendered operative simultaneously therewith by the activating switches for actuating the cutter means to sever any of said filaments, said cutter means comprising a stationary cutter blade fixedly mounted in operative relation to the coin passage, a movable cutter blade operatively mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position, a coin guide mounted on the movable blade through which coins may pass into the coin passage when the movable blade is in said open position, means continuously biasing said movable blade to the open position and means connecting the movable blade to the cutter operating means for displacement thereto to the closed position wherein the coin guide blocks passage of coins into the coin passage.

5. In a coin changing machine having at least one pay-out solenoid energized in response to closing of a coin switch by a coin deposited into a coin chute, means for preventing repeated closing of said coin switch by the same, comprising cutter means mounted in operative relation to the coin chute, relay means connected to the coin switch in parallel with the pay-out solenoid for energization simultaneously therewith, means connected to the cutter means for biasing thereof to an open position permitting passage of a coin into the coin chute, and actuating means connected to the relay means for displacing the cuttermeans in operative relation to the coin chute to sever any thread attached to the coin in response to closing of the switch by the coin.

6. The combination of claim 5 including guide means mounted on the cutter means for blocking passage of the coin through the coin chute until the cutter means returns to the open position.

7. In combination with a coin operated machine including a coin passage having an inlet end and a coin switch actuated in response to deposit of coins into the passage, an anti-cheating device comprising, closure means responsive to actuation of the coin switch following deposit of a coin for closing the inlet end of the coin passage, and cutter means mounted by the closure means for displacement across the inlet end of the coin passage in response to said closing thereof, whereby anything attached to the deposited coin and extending outwardly through the inlet of the coin passage will be severed.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said cutter means comprises, a fixed blade mounted adjacent to said inlet end of the coin passage and a movable blade connected to the closure menas for movement therewith toward the fixed blade.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1952 Arnett. 2/1965 Greenwald 194-97 

7. IN COMBINATION WITH A COIN OPERATED MACHINE INCLUDING A COIN PASSAGE HAVING AN INLET END AND A COIN SWITCH ACTUATED IN RESPONSE TO DEPOSIT OF COINS INTO THE PASSAGE, AN ANTI-CHEATING DEVICE COMPRISING, CLOSURE MEANS RESPONSIVE TO ACTUATION OF THE COIN SWITCH FOLLOWING DEPOSIT OF A COIN FOR CLOSING THE INLET END OF THE COIN PASSAGE, AND CUTTER MEANS MOUNTED BY THE CLOSURE MEANS FOR DISPLACEMENT ACROSS THE INLET END OF THE COIN PASSAGE IN RESPONSE TO SAID CLOSING THEREOF, WHEREBY ANYTHING ATTACHED TO THE DEPSITED COIN AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THROUGH THE INLET OF THE COIN PASSAGE WILL BE SEVERED. 